Method of defoliating plants with organomercurials



United States Patent 3,516,814 METHOD OF DEFOLIATIN G PLANTS WITH ORGANOMERCURIALS John C. Wollensak, Royal Oak, Mich., assignor to Ethyl Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia No Drawing. Filed Oct. 31, 1968, Ser. No. 772,358 Int. Cl. A01n 9/38 US. Cl. 71--70 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Plants are defoliated and desiccated by contacting with a composition containing as an active ingredient organomercury compounds having the formula: R-Hg-X wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, and aralkyl groups having up to about 12 carbon atoms and X is a halogen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the control of undesirable vegetation in general. More specifically, it pertains to the partial or total modification of the growth of plants, including defoliation and the complete suppression or eradication of plants. Many of the compounds employed in this invention and a process for their preparation have been reported in the literature; Whitmore, Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed., D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, pp. 855-856, 861-864 (1951).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is directed to controlling undesirable vegetation by a method which comprises contacting the vegetation with a herbitoxic amount of an organomercury compound. The herbitoxic compositions of this invention may be in the form of a solution, an emulsifiable oil, a wettable powder, dust, granules, or aerosol. Depending on the specific type of the formulation, there may additionally be present a surfactant, a carrier, or an adjuvant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The novel herbitoxic compositions of this invention contain as an active ingredient an organomercury compound having the formula: RHg-X wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, and aralkyl groups having up to 12 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen.

Examples of alkyl groups which may be present in the above general formula are methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-amyl, and the various positional isomers thereof as, for example, l-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1,1- dimethylpropyl, and the like, and likewise the corresponding straightand branched-chain isomers of hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, und'ecyl, and dodecyl.

Examples of aryl groups which may be present in the above formula are phenyl and naphthyl groups. Alkaryl groups which may also be present are tolyl, 2,3-xylyl, 2,4-xylyl, 2,5-xylyl, 2,6-xyly1, 3,4-xylyl, 3,5-Xylyl, o, m, and p-cumenyls, mesityl, o, m, and p-ethylphenyl, Z-metnylnaphthyl, 3-methylnaphthyl, 4-methylnaphthyl, S-methylnaphthyl, 6-methylnaphthyl, 7-methylnaphthyl, 8-methylnaphthyl, l-ethylnaphthyl, the various positional isomers of these naphthyl radicals, and the like. Some of the examples of aralkyl groups are benzyl, phenylethyl, u-phenylpropyl, ,B-phenylpropyl, a and S -phenylisopropyl radicals, on and fi-phenylbutyl radicals, and the like.

Cycloalkyl groups which may be present in the above 3,516,814 Patented June 23, 1970 "ice formula are exemplified by cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cycloamyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, cyclodecyl, cycloundecyl, cyclododecyl, and the like, or alkyl derivatives of said cycloalkyl groups such as a-cyclobutylpropyl, fi-cyclobutylpropyl, and similar higher derivatives.

In the preferred class of compounds, R is phenyl or an alkyl-substituted phenyl group having up to about 12 carbon atoms and X is a halogen.

Illustrative but non-limiting examples of typical active ingredients of this invention are listed below.

The above groups which may be present in the general formula may contain various substituents such as halogens, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, and the like. Illustrative examples of groups having such substituents are chloromethyl, 2-bromobutyl, 1-iodo-2-propenyl, chlorophenyl, 4-chlorotolyl, 1-phenyl-2-chloropropyl, fiuorocyclohexyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxy-3-pentenyl, hydroxyphenyl, 2-hydroxytolyl, 1-phenyl-3-hydroxyphenyl, hydroxycyclopentyl, Z-nitrobutyl, nitrophenyl, Z-nitro tolyl, 1-phenyl-4-nitrohexyl, nitrocyclobutyl, 2-arninobutyl, 3-aminobutenyl-1, aminophenyl, 2-nitro-4aminophenyl, 2-chloro-3-nitrophenyl, 1-hydroxy-3-bromohexyl, and the like.

The class of compounds represented by the above general formula may be prepared by various methods available in the art. For the purpose of this invention, it is immaterial what specific method of preparation is employed since our invention is primarily concerned with the unobvious use of said class of compounds as herbitoxic materials. One method of preparing the active compounds of this invention is reported by Whitmore, supra.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of this invention contain an active ingredient (a compound of the type formulated and enumerated above and examplified below) and a surfactant as a dispersant therefor. In a more preferred embodiment, the herbitoxic compositions contain an inert carrier as well as a surfactant and active ingredient, Typical surfactants and carriers employed in this invention are discussed below.

The methods provided by this invention for treating undesirable vegetation comprise contacting living plant tissue with one or more of the active ingredients described and enumerated above and exemplified below. In a more preferred embodiment, undesirable vegetation is treated 3 with a composition comprising one or more active ingredient, a surfactant as a dispersant therefor, and an inert carrier.

The surfactants or conditioning agents employed in the instant invention extend the active ingredient and promote its intimate contact with the vegetation to which it is applied. They also aid in the adaptation of the active ingredients for use in conventional application equipment. In general, from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of a surfactant is employed in the compositions of this invention; however, greater and smaller amounts can be used, if desired.

Typical examples of surfactants which are suitable for use in this invention are soaps, saponins, gelatin, casein, flour sulfite lye, synthetic cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants, and the like. Detailed lists of such agents are set forth by J. W. McCutcheon in Soap and Chemical Specialities, December 1957; January, February, March, and April 195 8; and in Detergent and Emulsifiers Up to Date-1960, John W. McCutcheon, 'Inc., 475 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. A further discussion of surface active wetting agents is set forth by D. E. H. Frear in Chemistry of Insecticides, Fungicides and Herbicides, 277-287, published by D. Van Norstrand Company, Inc. (1948).

The materials commonly known as carriers comprise another type of ingredient which is preferably employed in the compositions of this invention. The purpose of a carrier is to extend and facilitate the application of the active ingredient to the vegetation upon which it is applied. In general, carriers may be of two types; viz., solids and liquids. Liquid carriers include well-known liquids such as water and various organic formulations. Typical liquid organic carriers are petroleum fractions such as kerosene and diesel fuel, aromatics such as benzene and toluene, ketones such as acetone and methylethylketone, esters such as amyl acetate, octyl acetate, and the like.

Typical solid carriers are inert solid extenders of mineral origin such as fullers earth, kaolin, bentonite, china clay, various magnesium silicates, gypsum, pumice, mica, talc, attapulgite clay, and the like. Inert extenders of vegetable origin, such as soy bean flour, tobacco flour, ground walnut shells, ground pecan shells, and the like can also be employed.

The herbicidal compositions of the present invention can also beneficially contain other adjuvants. Examples of such further adjuvants are corrosion inhibitors, perfumes, dyes, odor-masking agents and stabilizers. In addition, other herbicidal, fungicidal, or insecticidal agents might be mixed with the herbicidal compositions of this invention in order to obtain enhanced or dual effects from the application of the resultant composition.

One formulation for applying the active compounds of this invention to undesirable plants is a solution or suspension of the active compound in a suitable aqueous or organic medium. The organic medium may be a volatile solvent or it may be a higher boiling solvent such as kerosene.

When using a solution or suspension formulation, a preferred active ingredient concentration range is from about 0.5 to 100 parts by weight active ingredient per 250 parts by weight of formulation, although more or less can be used. A more preferred concentration range is from about 1 to 50 parts by weight active ingredient per 250 parts of formulation. A most preferred concentration range is from about 1 to 1 parts by weight active ingredient per 250 parts of formulation.

Emulsifiable oil formulations which are solutions or suspensions of the active compound in water-immiscible solvents together with a surface active agent may also be used. 'In these formulations the Water-immiscible solvent is the carrier. Suitable water-immiscible solvents for the active compound of this invention are hydrocarbons, such as kerosene, or xylene, and water-insoluble ethers such as dibutyl Carbitol and dibutyl Cellosolve, esters such as amyl acetate and octyl acetate, and ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone or dioctyl ketone. The solvent concentration may be from 10 to 50* to about 70 weight percent. The sunfactant may be employed in a concentration from 0.5 to about 15 weight percent.

A preferred active ingredient concentration of the etrnulsifiable oil formulations of the present invention is from about 10 to about 90 weight percent. A more preferred active ingredient concentration in these formulations is from about 20 to about weight percent. A most pre ferred active ingredient concentration in the emulsifiable oil formulations of this invention is from about 25 to about 50 weight percent.

The compositions of this invention may be formulated in the form of wettable powders. These are water dispersible compositions which contain, in addition to the active compound, an inert solid extender and one or more surfactants which perform the functions previously set out. The preferred inert solid extenders used in this invention are of mineral origin, such as fullers earth, kaolin, bentonite, china clay, and the like.

A preferred active ingredient concentration of the wettable powder formulations of this invention is from about 10 to about 90 weight percent. A more preferred active ingredient concentration is from about 20 to about weight percent, and a most preferred active ingredient concentration in the wettable powder formulations of this invention is from about 50 to about 80 weight percent. The surfactant concentration may be from 0.5 to about 15 weight percent and preferably from 1 to about 5 weight percent. An inert carrier may be used in the amount from 10, to weight percent and more preferably from 10 to '50 weight percent.

Dusts are powder formulations which are intended for application in the dry form. The dust should be free flowing and have a high density. Dust formulations can contain the active compounds, an inert extender, a surfactant, and may also contain a wetting agent and a grinding aid.

A preferred active ingredient concentration employed in the dust compositions of this invention is from about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent, and more preferably, from about 1 to about 10 weight percent. The surfactant concentration may be from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent, and more preferably, from about 0.5 to about 1 weight percent. The balance of the dust compositions of this invention comprise inert free flowing dust and any other adjuvants that might be desired, such as corrosion inhibitors, anti-foam agents, dyes, and the like.

Granule formulations may also be employed. Granules are compositions of macroscopic dimension containing the active ingredient, generally a surface active agent, and a carrier. Suitable carriers for granule formulations are clays, pyrophyllite and vermiculite.

A preferred active ingredient concentration of the granular formulations of this invention is from about 1 to about 50 weight percent, and more preferably, from about 5 to about 30 weight percent. A preferred surfactant concentration employed in the granular formulations is from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent, and a more preferred is from about 0.1 to about 1 weight percent. The balance of the granular formulations is preferably made up of about 15 to 30 mesh particulate inert mineral carrier.

The compounds of this invention are also effective when formulated in aerosol formulations. In these formulations, the active compounds are dissolved in an extremely volatile solvent known in the art for this purpose and maintained under pressure in a confined space.

The active ingredients described in this invention are also useful in colloidal formulations. A colloidal formulation is prepared by passing a mixture of the active ingredient, a hydrocarbon solvent, and a large amount of water through a colloid mill until homogenation of the oil and water is achieved.

The above-discussed formulations and additives are disclosed in greater detail in a copending application Ser.

No. 530,778, filed Mar. 1, 1966, now US. Pat. No. 3,409,424.

The compounds used in the following Examples 1 to 7 will have the designations given below:

(A) Phenylmercury bromide (B) Methylmercury bromide (C) o-Tolylmercury chloride (D) 2,4-xylylmercury iodide (E) Benzylmercury fluoride (F) p-Tolylmercury chloride (G) Isobutylrnercury bromide (H) Phenylmercury chloride The following examples serve to illustrate the herbitoxic formulations of this invention. All percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLE 1 Percent Compound A 5O Bentonite 49 Sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate 1 The above wettable powder is prepared by blending the dry components and grinding until substantially all of the particles are smaller than 50 microns.

For application, the above wettable powder is dispersed in water in quantities equivalent to one pound of active ingredient per 30 gallons of water. The dispersion so formed is conveniently applied by the use "of any of the various commercial sprayers.

EXAMPLE 2 Percent Compound B 90 Sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate 0.5 Kaolin 9.5

The above wettable powder is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. For application, it is dispersed in water at a rate equivalent to 10 pounds of active ingredient per 30 gallons of water.

In the above example, similar formulations may be prepared containing 20, 30, 40, 50, 60*, 70, 80, or 90 percent Compound C and correspondingly smaller amounts of carrier.

EXAMPLE 3 Percent Compound D l Talc 80 Diatomaceous silica 8 Fatty acid amides 2 The above dust is prepared by first grinding together the active ingredients, diatomaceous silica and fatty acid amide and then blending in the talc and thoroughly mixing.

This dust formulation can be applied using a tractor or airplane-mounted duster, at a rate of about pounds of active ingredient per acre.

EXAMPLE 4 Percent Compound E 25 Diesel fuel 65 Alkylaryl polyether alcohols 10 6 EXAMPLE 5 Percent Compound F 30 Sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate 5 15-30 mesh attapulgite 65 The above granular composition is prepared by first dissolving the active ingredient and surface active agent in a volatile solvent and then spraying the solution on the carrier. Following this, the granules are dried. It may then be applied to plant tissue at a rate of from about 1 to 10 pounds of active ingredient per acre.

In the above example, similar formulations are prepared containing 10, 40, 60, and percent of Compounds E and F, and correspondingly smaller amounts of attapulgite.

EXAMPLE 6 Into a cylinder rated at p.s.i.g. working pressure is introduced 10 parts of Compound G. The cylinder is then made pressure tight except for one opening, through which is introduced a mixture of 10 parts of acetone and 50 parts of dichlorodifiuoromethane, from a container holding this material under 2000 p.s.i.g. The cylinder into which the ingredients have been introduced is then sealed off and shaken to give a uniform solution of the active compound in the volatile solvents. When sprayed into the atmosphere this solution will form an effective aerosol of the active compound employed.

In the above example, similar formulations are prepared containing 10, 30, 60 and 90 percent of Compound G and correspondingly smaller amounts of the solvent.

EXAMPLE 7 A colloidal formulation is prepared by passing a mixture of 10 parts of Compound H, 100 parts of kerosene, 1000 parts of water, and 1 part of mannitan monooleate through the colloid mill until homogenation of the oil in water is achieved.

EXAMPLES 8 to 189 Compounds 1-26 set forth above are incorporated, one at a time, in each of the foregoing Examples 1 through 7.

The compositions of this invention are extremely useful when employed in the method of this invention for controlling the growth of undesirable vegetation. Not only are they phytotoxic to many undesirable plants, but they are also useful as defoliants. The compositions of this invention are active as plant growth regulants at rates as low as one-tenth pound of active ingredient per acre. A preferred application rate is from 1 to 60 pounds of active ingredient per acre, and.- a most preferred application rate is from 5 to 10 pounds of active ingredient per acre. Higher or lower rates can be employed, depending upon the effect that the particular user desires to accomplish.

The compositions of the present invention are usually contacted with the leaves and stems of growing plants in the terms broadest sense, but can be applied to soil to obtain pre-emergence herbitoxic effects.

As appreciated in the art, the morphological effect obtained with the active ingredients of this invention may be influenced by the application rate, ambient temperature, humidity, and the time of the life cycle of the plant to which the compositions are applied. The effect usually desired of plant growth regulators is either defoliation or complete eradication of undesirable species. It is in these particular applications that the compositions of this invention are most useful. The following tests were carried out in order to demonstrate the useful properties of the compositions of this invention.

In test procedure A, the compounds were formulated as follows. Each compound was weighed into a small aluminum cup. The material was then washed into small beakers with about 5 ml. of acetone, followed by 15 ml.

of water, giving a total volume of 20 ml. A quantity of this material containing 31 mg. of the test compound was then removed and water added to it to bring its volume to 11 m1. At this point, 0.5 ml. of a one weight percent solution of Triton X-155 was added to the test solution and its volume then raised to 15 ml. by the addition of water. When this test solution is sprayed over an area of one-third square yard, it approximates an application rate of 30 gallons per acre containing one pound of test chemical per acre.

In some experiments the test compound was merely dissolved in acetone, so that 12 ml. of acetone solution contained 31 mg. of test compound.

The spray chamber used in carrying out subsequent tests was about 36 inches wide, 18 inches deep, nad 26 inches high. It was made of clear plastic and the front of the chamber had sliding doors suitable for placing plants in and removing plants from the chamber. The top of the chamber had a hole for introducing the spray.

The compounds were examined by spraying them on 14-day-old Black Valentine bean plants and in some instances on privet plants at a rate equivalent to one pound of test compound per acre.

In the following Table I, the effectiveness of the compounds of this invention are expressed in terms of their phytotoxicity and their ability to cause abscission (defoliation). The abscission value is expressed in terms of the percentage drop of the total leaves on the plant (percent defoliation). At the time of spraying, the bean plants usually have two primary leaves. However, during the 14 days the plant is observed following spraying, two more (trifoliate) leaves usually emerge. Dropping of the two primary leaves would be recorded as .50 percent abscission. Dropping of all four leaves would be recorded at 100 percent abscission. Actually, dropping of the two primary leaves would constitute a total drop of all leaves actually contacted with the test compound.

Phytoxicity is a measure of leaf damage (not to be confused with leaf droppage) and is estimated visually on a scale from to 11, where 0 indicates no effect and 11 indicates all leaves killed. It is possible for a test chemical to have a phytotoxicity rating of 11 and yet have an abscission rating of 0, which means that although all leaves were killed, they remained on the plant.

Table I records the results obtained when the previously described Black Valentine bean plants were contacted with a test formulation containing phenylmercury bromide at a rate equivalent to one pound per acre. Results are given for the water and acetone formulation previously described. Observations were made at specific intervals, such as 4, 8 and 13 days, but only the final results obtained at the end of 13 days are reported.

TABLE I.ABSCISSION AND PHYIOTOXICITY RATINGS OF PHENYLMERCURY BROMIDE ON BLACK VALEN- TINE BEANS Further tests were carried out on the compounds of this invention to more fully determine the effectiveness of such compounds. In test procedure C, the test compound was dissolved in acetone containing 0.5 percent Tween-20. The concentrations were adjusted so that rates of 1.0 pound per acre and 0.1 pound per acre could be applied. Each rate was applied in duplicate to six different seven-day old species. The test plants used were Black Valentine beans, Heavenly Blue morningglory, Scarlet Globe raddish, Lincoln soybean, Clinton oats and rice (PI 8970). At selected time intervals, the following effects were noted: abscission, chlorosis, contact injury, curvature, formative effects, galling, killing, necrosis, abnormal pigmentation, quilling, adventitious roots, and stunting. A rating system ranging from a value of 1 to 4 was used for each species. When the plant appeared normal, a rating of one was assigned, whereas when the plant was killed, a value of 4 was assigned. Thus, the ratings are such that a maximum value of 4 for each species may be obtained. Since there are six species and each may obtain a value of from one to four, the overall result will always fall within the range of from 6 to 24. The latter indicates complete kill of all the species. The former indicates no effect. Final readings are obtained 10 to 14 days after application. The following Table II shows the overall result obtained when the indicated organomercury compounds were applied on the above-described six species.

TABLE II Summary herbicidal properties of phenylmercury bromide Rating based on a Concentration: maximum of 24 0.1 lb./acre 11 1.0 lb./acre 22 As noted above, certain herbitoxic formulations require an organic medium or a solvent. In addition to the solvents and the organic medium materials listed above, alcohols and sulfoxides may also be employed. Nonlimiting examples of alcohols are l-butanol, cyclohexanol. l.-octanol, l-nonanol, and the remaining positional isomers, 2-methyl-1-nonanol, 2,8-dimethyl-5-nonanol, 1-dodecanol, 6-dodecanol, l-tetradecanol, all positional isomers thereof, and the like. Illustrative examples of sulfoxides are dimethyl sulfoxide, diethyl sulfoxide, di-npropyl sulfoxide, di-n-butyl sulfoxide, dibenzyl sulfoxide, and the like.

This invention can be extended to the treatment of species of plants other than those mentioned above, such as algae.

Having fully described the compositions of this invention and their novel uses, it is desired that this invention be limited only within the lawful scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of defoliating plants, said method comprising contacting plants with a defoliating amount of a compound having the formula: R-HgX wherein R is phenyl or an alkyl-substituted phenyl group having up to about 12 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is phenylmercury bromide.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,637,677 5/1953 Dinerstein 71-97 2,754,241 7/ 1956 Schwerdle 7197 3,433,618 3/1969 Wollensak et al 71-70 3,433,619 3/1969 Plonsker et al. 7170 3,433,620 3/ 1969 Plonsker et a1. 7170 3,433,622 3/ 1969 Plonsker et al. 71-70 OTHER REFERENCES Mildner et al.: Antifungal Activity and Inhibitory Effect, Etc. (1965), CA 63, p. 8978 (1965).

Fuse et al.: Studies on Organomercuric and Tin Compounds as Wood Preservatives (1963), CA 65, pp. 6221 and 6222 (1966).

Maksimenko et al.: Reaction of Alkylation Etc. (1966), CA 66, p. 45929p (1967).

LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner G. HOLLRAH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

